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Petrol strike threat: PM advises topping up Petrol strike threat: PM advises topping up
(39 minutes later)
The government has urged people to take "sensible precautions" in case a strike by fuel tanker drivers goes ahead.The government has urged people to take "sensible precautions" in case a strike by fuel tanker drivers goes ahead.
PM David Cameron said motorists need not queue but should top up their tanks, and Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude advised storing petrol in a jerrycan in their garage.PM David Cameron said motorists need not queue but should top up their tanks, and Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude advised storing petrol in a jerrycan in their garage.
The advice has prompted criticism with the Fire Brigades Union urging Mr Maude to withdraw his statement.The advice has prompted criticism with the Fire Brigades Union urging Mr Maude to withdraw his statement.
Unite union drivers, who supply 90% of UK forecourts, have voted to strike.Unite union drivers, who supply 90% of UK forecourts, have voted to strike.
There are some reports of shortages of fuel at petrol stations, with Esso saying it had seen increased demand in some areas while Shell reported it was "business as normal".There are some reports of shortages of fuel at petrol stations, with Esso saying it had seen increased demand in some areas while Shell reported it was "business as normal".
In a statement Esso said: "Some sites may temporarily be out of one or two types of fuel."In a statement Esso said: "Some sites may temporarily be out of one or two types of fuel."
The civil contingencies committee Cobra is to meet later to discuss contingency plans. Mr Cameron, who is currently chairing a meeting of the civil contingencies committee Cobra, earlier said: "There is no imminent strike. The unions would have to give seven days' notice of any strike so there is no need to queue to buy petrol.
Mr Cameron said: "There is no imminent strike. The unions would have to give seven days' notice of any strike so there is no need to queue to buy petrol.
"If there is an opportunity to top up your tank if a strike is potentially on the way, then it is a sensible thing if you are able to do that.""If there is an opportunity to top up your tank if a strike is potentially on the way, then it is a sensible thing if you are able to do that."
RAF training
He added: "I absolutely do not want to raise the temperature on this any more than is necessary."
Mr Maude advised: "The greater extent to which people have fuel in their vehicles - maybe a little bit in the garage as well in a jerrycan - the longer we can keep things going."Mr Maude advised: "The greater extent to which people have fuel in their vehicles - maybe a little bit in the garage as well in a jerrycan - the longer we can keep things going."
But Fire Brigades Union general secretary Matt Wrack criticised the advice, saying: "There is a real danger the public will start storing fuel in inappropriate ways if the government is encouraging panic-buying and storage. This advice is wrong and must be withdrawn."But Fire Brigades Union general secretary Matt Wrack criticised the advice, saying: "There is a real danger the public will start storing fuel in inappropriate ways if the government is encouraging panic-buying and storage. This advice is wrong and must be withdrawn."
You could call it the Corporal Jones challenge.You could call it the Corporal Jones challenge.
How does the government say "don't panic" about potential fuel shortages, without leading people to panic?How does the government say "don't panic" about potential fuel shortages, without leading people to panic?
It's very tricky. We've had an insight into the balancing act it involves.It's very tricky. We've had an insight into the balancing act it involves.
The newspapers reported the prime minister would chair a Cobra meeting on the fuel dispute. Cobra is often described as the government's national emergencies committee.The newspapers reported the prime minister would chair a Cobra meeting on the fuel dispute. Cobra is often described as the government's national emergencies committee.
A Downing Street source certainly didn't steer us away from suggesting as much too. But that word "emergency" is a strong one.A Downing Street source certainly didn't steer us away from suggesting as much too. But that word "emergency" is a strong one.
By mid-morning, Downing Street was saying that, whilst the meeting would happen in Cabinet Office Briefing Room A, the place that gives its initials to the word Cobra, it wouldn't be a Cobra meeting.By mid-morning, Downing Street was saying that, whilst the meeting would happen in Cabinet Office Briefing Room A, the place that gives its initials to the word Cobra, it wouldn't be a Cobra meeting.
Then David Cameron told reporters that, in fact, it would be a Cobra meeting. But we shouldn't panic.Then David Cameron told reporters that, in fact, it would be a Cobra meeting. But we shouldn't panic.
Mr Maude told the BBC's Radio 4 World at One programme: "There are legal limits on what you can store and I'm sure the fire service will communicate those.Mr Maude told the BBC's Radio 4 World at One programme: "There are legal limits on what you can store and I'm sure the fire service will communicate those.
"What people have in mind, there are sensible low key things that can be done and if they choose to do it - it's up to them." "What people have in mind, there are sensible low-key things that can be done and if they choose to do it - it's up to them."
He said people were reacting sensibly and where there were opportunities to fill up fuel they were doing so.He said people were reacting sensibly and where there were opportunities to fill up fuel they were doing so.
Speaking also on the World at One Brian Madderson, from the Retail Motor Industry Federation, said the government and the public had to keep "a cool head". As he headed into the Cobra meeting, his colleague Transport Minister Mike Penning defended the comments and said that people had stored petrol at home for many years.
Speaking also on the World at One, Brian Madderson, from the Retail Motor Industry Federation, said the government and the public had to keep "a cool head".
He said: "This government appears intent on creating a crisis out of a serious concern."He said: "This government appears intent on creating a crisis out of a serious concern."
He warned that supplies of fuel were already lower at forecourts than they were during the fuel blockade in 2000. "Yesterday we polled a good proportion of our members right across the UK and petrol was 45% up compared to a normal Tuesday and diesel was 20% up."
At the Cobra meeting, Mr Cameron will be briefed on measures to minimise the possible impact of any strike, including using military drivers, the possibility of recruiting foreign tanker drivers and setting up fuel stockpiles. And he warned that fuel supplies were already lower at forecourts than they were during the blockade in 2000.
They will also discuss the impact a strike would have on the emergency services, other vital services and supermarket deliveries. At the Cobra meeting, Mr Cameron is to be briefed on measures to minimise the possible impact of any strike, including using military drivers, the possibility of recruiting foreign tanker drivers and setting up fuel stockpiles.
Ministers and officials are also set to also discuss the impact a strike would have on the emergency services, other vital services and supermarket deliveries.
There are plans to put military personnel through an eight-day training course to enable them to take the place of striking drivers behind the wheel of commercial tankers.There are plans to put military personnel through an eight-day training course to enable them to take the place of striking drivers behind the wheel of commercial tankers.
The BBC has learned that more than 80 "highly qualified" drivers from the Royal Air Force will begin initial training by one oil haulage firm on Wednesday.The BBC has learned that more than 80 "highly qualified" drivers from the Royal Air Force will begin initial training by one oil haulage firm on Wednesday.
Mr Cameron said there was "absolutely no justification" for a strike and earlier Chancellor George Osborne and Energy Secretary Ed Davey warned it could damage economic recovery.Mr Cameron said there was "absolutely no justification" for a strike and earlier Chancellor George Osborne and Energy Secretary Ed Davey warned it could damage economic recovery.
Labour have already described the government's advice as the "height of irresponsibility" for giving the impression people should panic-buy.Labour have already described the government's advice as the "height of irresponsibility" for giving the impression people should panic-buy.
Downing Street has dismissed this suggestion.Downing Street has dismissed this suggestion.
Labour leader Ed Miliband urged the unions, company chiefs and the government to hold talks to avoid a strike.Labour leader Ed Miliband urged the unions, company chiefs and the government to hold talks to avoid a strike.
"My message to all sides... is to make sure they get round the table and sort out the problem. "We don't want to see industrial action, it must be avoided at all costs, and the best way to make that happen is for the government to tell both sides - to instruct them - to say 'you've got to negotiate'.
"Look, we know we can't afford a strike, we know that mustn't happen and the way that's got to be stopped is with proper negotiations, and that's what I want to see happen." "That's what's in the interests of the people of Britain and that's what's got to happen."
Timetable for talks Geoff Dunning, chief executive of the Road Haulage Association, told the BBC: "I don't know whether there is a real difference between what people call panic-buying and prudent precautions.
Geoff Dunning, chief executive of the Road Haulage Association, told the BBC: "I don't know whether there is a real difference between what people call panic buying and prudent precautions. 'Huge queues'
"As far as the haulage industry is concerned, if you're running a truck, you're using a full tank of fuel on a daily basis, so you cannot panic buy. You've just got to keep filling the vehicle up, keep doing the job and keep the wheels moving." "As far as the haulage industry is concerned, if you're running a truck, you're using a full tank of fuel on a daily basis, so you cannot panic-buy. You've just got to keep filling the vehicle up, keep doing the job and keep the wheels moving."
People have contacted the BBC to report shortages at some stations near to them.People have contacted the BBC to report shortages at some stations near to them.
Simon Lane, from Leicester, said his local garage in Groby ran out of diesel and unleaded petrol after "panic buying" involving "huge queues".Simon Lane, from Leicester, said his local garage in Groby ran out of diesel and unleaded petrol after "panic buying" involving "huge queues".
"It is usually a busy petrol station but I have never seen queues on to the main road before, it was very dangerous," he said.
Jim Wardle, from Chesterfield, said he saw a man fill up his Range Rover then buy the last six petrol cans and fill them while complaining about people voting to strike.Jim Wardle, from Chesterfield, said he saw a man fill up his Range Rover then buy the last six petrol cans and fill them while complaining about people voting to strike.
"It was pandemonium at the Clay Cross petrol station. No-one was really saying much but everyone knew why it was busier than normal," he said."It was pandemonium at the Clay Cross petrol station. No-one was really saying much but everyone knew why it was busier than normal," he said.
Meanwhile, conciliation service Acas said it would contact the five oil firms affected and the Unite union to agree a timetable for talks aimed at resolving their differences.Meanwhile, conciliation service Acas said it would contact the five oil firms affected and the Unite union to agree a timetable for talks aimed at resolving their differences.
Workers involved in the dispute over terms, conditions and safety standards have already voted to walk out.Workers involved in the dispute over terms, conditions and safety standards have already voted to walk out.
Unite, the UK's biggest union, is meeting on Wednesday to consider its next step. It has already said it wants minimum standards covering pay, hours, holiday and redundancy.Unite, the UK's biggest union, is meeting on Wednesday to consider its next step. It has already said it wants minimum standards covering pay, hours, holiday and redundancy.
The union represents about 2,000 drivers who deliver fuel to Shell and Esso garages, as well as supermarkets such as Tesco and Sainsbury's.The union represents about 2,000 drivers who deliver fuel to Shell and Esso garages, as well as supermarkets such as Tesco and Sainsbury's.
Are you putting any contingency plans in place for the fuel strike? Are you affected? Please fill in the form below if you are willing to be interviewed by the BBC.Are you putting any contingency plans in place for the fuel strike? Are you affected? Please fill in the form below if you are willing to be interviewed by the BBC.
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